Automatic feed trough



Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNiTEE STATES AUTOMATIC FEED THOUGH,

James M. Fisher, New Orleans, La. V Application November 27, 1935, Serial No. 51,896

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to an automatic feed trough for supplying a plurality of compartments in a cage or the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide two or more receptacles interconnected so that each of said receptacles will receive a supply of feed from a central or dispensing hopper.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed trough composed of a plurality of receptacles interconnected by a tubing, the sides of which are cut away to permit the feed to flow therethrough into the receptacles.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic feed trough comprising a plurality of receptacles interconnected, the receptacles being so constructed that a free flow and passage of the feed therein will be obtained.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the detained description taken with the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevational view with one of the receptacles in partial cross section.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l, and,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device.

In the drawing wherein like symbols refer to like parts, the numeral 5 indicates a receptacle that is substantially U shaped in cross section and has a pair of feed troughs 6 and l forming an integral part with the body thereof. The special configuration and contour of the receptacle 5 is best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing and it is to be noted that the bottom portion forming the troughs 6 and l is U shaped and the portion 8 is a semi-circular construction that permits a supply of feed to flow freely Within the trough, there being no corners to obstruct the passage thereof.

The receptacle 5 is further provided with a neck portion 9 at its upper end and has an opening Ill in the bottom portion through which a tube II passes for connection with a receptacle to be positioned below the receptacle 5. The tube II is secured to the receptacle 5 at a point below the opening l3 of the neck portion 9 by means of a screw or the like l2. A second receptacle I4 is joined to the tube H in a manner similar to connecting the receptacle 5, comprising the screw [5. The construction of the two receptacles joined by the tube H provides a single unit in the series, it being understood that any desired number of units may be utilized in the system and when arranged in superposed relation, the lower end of the connecting tube will fit within an opening corresponding to the open ing l3 of the receptacle 5 and the tube abutting the upper end of the tube fastened to the neck portion of the receptacle.

The receptacle I4 differs in construction from the receptacle 5 in that the opening in the bottom portion is eliminated, this being due to the fact that the receptacle M is the last one used in the series and it is therefore obviously not necessary to provide an opening for receiving any additional tubing. Referring to Figure 2 it is to be noted that the bottom portion I6 is shaped so as to provide an angle ll of substantially 45 which will permit the supply of feed to easily and readily flow within each of the troughs. It is to be understood that regardless of the number of receptacles used that each is provided with a pair of troughs substantially the same as described forming a part of the receptacle 5.

For supplying feed to each of the troughs in the receptacles, the tube II is constructed with diametrically opposed openings 18, one opening communicating with the trough '5 and the'other opening communicating with the trough 1. The supply of feed will flow through the tube ll until each of the receptacles in the series is supplied.

For illustration purposes, in Figure 1 there is shown in dotted lines a hopper or dispenser l9 directly connected to the neck portion 9 of the receptacle 5, but it is to be understood that the dispensing hopper can be positioned in any desired place, and if necessary a separate communicating line may be attached to one or more of the series of receptacles.

.While there are illustrated and described two receptacles, any desired number may be utilized in the system but the construction of each unit is the same as described and illustrated. It is preferred, however, to have a single tube connecting two of the receptacles, and if additional receptacles are used the tube would be positioned within the neck portion of the succeeding receptacle and abut the tubing fastened thereto.

The device can be utilized in a cage having a large number of compartments and may be secured to the cage in any desired manner. By this construction it is only necessary to replenish the supply of feed in the central dispenser or hopper since the feed troughs of the system are automatically replenished from the hopper.

By the U shaped feed trough construction, two adjoining compartments can be supplied with feed from a single receptacle. The receptacles can be positioned within the cage so that one trough w ll ex end into one compartment and theother trough extend into the adjoining compartment.

Having described only a preferred form, it is not desired to limit the invention to the particular details herein set forth, it being understood that any changes or variations may be made as will fall within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: a w 1. An automatic feeding device comprising a pair of receptacles, 'troug hs'projecting from each receptacle; said troughs and their attached receptacles being substantially U-shaped, each re- 1 in said tube communicating with one of said receptacles for permitting a supply'of feed to flow,

into the troughs thereof.

' 2. An, automatic feeding device comprising a V U-shaped, each receptacle having a neck for receiving a hollow tube, a hollow tube connecting said necks, and means securing said tube to the necks, there being diametrically disposed openings within said tube having communication with one of said receptacles for permitting said supply of feed to flow into the troughs.

JAMES M. FISHER. 

